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Low-altitude economy

Meituan’s delivery workers earn US$11 billion in 2023, CEO says

CEO Wang Xing’s internal announcement reflects Meituan’s efforts to address mainland policymakers’ concerns over the welfare of gig workers.

CEO Wang Xing’s internal announcement reflects Meituan’s efforts to address mainland policymakers’ concerns over the welfare of gig workers

18 Sep 2024 - 6:00PM

China’s low-altitude economy adds ‘new track’ with home-grown blimp delivery

25 Sep 2024 - 6:21PMvideocam

Explainer | What’s the buzz around China’s low-altitude economy?

26 Aug 2024 - 11:44PMvideocam

China’s low-altitude economy spreads wings as struggling locales look skyward

The economic model has been elevated to new heights nationwide as struggling regional governments vie for a piece of the pie in the sky.

26 Aug 2024 - 10:00AMvideocam

A light-sport aircraft is readied in China’s Shandong province last month. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese EV battery maker CATL invests in ‘flying car’ developer AutoFlight

The largest maker of electric car batteries is investing millions of dollars into the aerial vehicle firm as China’s low-altitude economy takes flight.

5 Aug 2024 - 6:00PM

Shanghai seeks AI, humanoid robotics, low-altitude economy upgrade by 2027

Shanghai will look to attract AI companies, build a humanoid robot manufacturing innovation centre and test low-altitude industrial logistics by 2027.

26 Jul 2024 - 5:00PMvideocam

China moves closer to launching flying taxi services as EHang seeks Beijing’s go-ahead

Chinese flying taxi maker EHang’s latest certification process marks the final step before it enters the domestic market for urban air mobility services.

23 Jul 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

EHang is working closely with the Civil Aviation Administration of China to establish a new operating system for pilotless aerial vehicles. Photo: SCMP

Reach for the sky: China’s low-altitude economic plans see UAVs surge by 48%

China is pushing for the ‘low-altitude economy’ to foster high-value jobs, bolster innovation in science and technology and inject momentum into the overall economy.

11 Jul 2024 - 8:12PMvideocam

Xpeng’s AeroHT affiliate to price first flying car at US$200,000

The company expects to begin deliveries at the end of next year and aims to sell 5,000 units, as China’s low-altitude economy takes flight.

5 Jul 2024 - 5:34PMvideocam

Hong Kong should tap tech firms in ‘low-altitude economy’ push: observers

Role of private companies highlighted in development of neighbouring Shenzhen’s drone delivery and transport operations.

4 Jul 2024 - 8:06PM

An uncrewed aircraft in Guangzhou. Hong Kong authorities are exploring the use of drones to deliver goods in the New Territories. Photo: Xinhua

Hong Kong exploring use of drones for goods delivery: transport official

Government looking at Northern Metropolis, Kau Yi Chau artificial islands as sites for pilot projects, as both have sufficient open spaces.

3 Jul 2024 - 8:50PM

An unmanned food delivery drone pictured in Shenzhen. Photo: Xinhua

Late for a meeting? No problem! Shenzhen adds heli-transfer at railway station

Travellers arriving at Shenzhen North rail station can connect within the southern tech hub via helicopter amid China’s ‘low-altitude economy’ push.

4 Jul 2024 - 9:01AMvideocam

Global aviation firms hope Beijing business is unscathed by China-EU trade rows

Rising trade tensions trigger concern about potential retaliatory measures from Beijing, including against the aviation sector.

18 Jun 2024 - 11:40PMvideocam

Chinese EV maker Xpeng’s flying car takes first flight in Beijing

X2, a flying car made by Xpeng affiliate AeroHT, took off at Beijing Daxing International Airport, as the firm moves closer to commercialising its aircraft.

16 Jun 2024 - 7:02PM

X2, a flying car made by Xpeng affiliate AeroHT, has completed its maiden flight at Beijing Daxing International Airport. Photo: Handout

China’s aviation leader puts cargo drone to test amid industry push

Uncrewed vehicles are essential to China’s low-altitude economy, which the government has bolstered with policies and regulations since 2021.

14 Jun 2024 - 4:03PMvideocam

A prototype of China’s HH-100 aerial commercial cargo drone is pictured in Xian where is completed a successful maiden flight, AVIC announced. Photo: AVIC via Xinhua

Hong Kong must address drone safety worries and laws before wider use: John Lee

Lawmakers have urged government to follow mainland China’s lead and embrace crewless aircraft to transport tourists and make food deliveries.

13 Jun 2024 - 10:36PM

China’s top science institute restructured to focus on research frontiers

Chinese Academy of Sciences undergoes organisational overhaul as Beijing pushes original innovation in bid to become tech superpower.

11 Jul 2024 - 2:31AM

Chinese province looking to ‘flying taxis’ to give tourist industry wings

Shanxi is investing in electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles and drone deliveries as part of a national effort to boost the ‘low altitude economy’.

3 Jun 2024 - 9:18AMvideocam

Despite government support for flying taxis, questions about reliablilty and safety remain. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese air taxi maker EHang completes first flight in Middle East

The company’s flagship EH216-S autonomous flying vehicle took off in Abu Dhabi, as part of a plan to launch commercial flights in the UAE.

7 May 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

EVs might fly in China as Xpeng’s affiliate aims for Q4 presales

AeroHT, an affiliate of Chinese electric vehicle maker Xpeng, has started the countdown for the commercialisation of its flying car and plans to start taking pre-orders in the fourth quarter of this year.

27 Apr 2024 - 6:38AMvideocam

Drone delivery service launches in China’s Greater Bay Area

Flight between Zhongshan and megacity of Shenzhen takes around 45 minutes and costs 40 yuan (US$5.60) per order, according to UAV-maker Phoenix Wings, which is backed by Chinese logistics giant SF Express.

14 Apr 2024 - 3:00PMvideocam

The drone delivery service between Shenzhen and Zhongshan will operate six days a week and can carry goods weighing up to 20kg (44lbs). Photo: X / @ThisisZhongshan

China’s eVTOL craft gets clearance as ‘low-altitude economy’ prepped for launch

China has granted production approval for its first electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle, cementing its progress in the rapidly expanding field of manned and unmanned flight at low altitudes.

10 Apr 2024 - 4:10PMvideocam

A Ehang EH216-S passenger-carrying electric unmanned aerial vehicle, which was recently certified for production. Photo: Bloomberg

China clears US$70 billion ‘low-altitude economy’ for take-off with vow for aid

China has said its ‘low-altitude economy’ will be given direct and indirect aid to ensure this growth sector is nurtured enough to reach its full potential – billions in value by 2030, government research has suggested.

1 Apr 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

With lofty plans for south, China’s ‘low-altitude economy’ is on the rise

Nansha, a district in China’s southern provincial capital of Guangzhou, has been christened as a test bed for the ‘low-altitude economy’, an emerging industry covering unmanned vehicles, particularly drones.

26 Mar 2024 - 11:00AMvideocam

China’s EHang sells autonomous passenger drone for US$332,000 on Taobao

From April 1, EHang’s EH216-S electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle will be available in overseas markets at a suggested retail price of US$410,000.

19 Mar 2024 - 8:00PM

A smartphone screenshot shows EHang’s EH216-S electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle up for sale on Alibaba Group Holding’s Taobao marketplace. Photo: Simon Song

Opinion | How Hong Kong can encourage the next generation of problem-solvers

The interdisciplinary nature of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) has faced challenges and successes in Hong Kong. Incorporating geospatial awareness into STEAM education is key to preparing young people to lead smart-city development.

17 Mar 2024 - 1:30PM

Two primary school students in Hong Kong show their invention at an expo that showcases the technological innovations by student inventors, on January 16 in Hong Kong’s Tai Po district. Photo: Yik Yeung-man

Opinion | Hong Kong’s budget strives for balance but is not without blind spots

Financial Secretary Paul Chan’s focus on tourism and development projects might be in vain without considerations on how best to utilize Hong Kong’s resources. This year’s budget is likely to upset but reflects government’s goal of fiscal responsibility.

3 Mar 2024 - 5:15PM

China’s low-altitude economy to hit 2 trillion yuan, first for eVTOL aircraft

China’s low-altitude economy is expected to reach 2 trillion yuan by 2030, with the burgeoning sector achieving another milestone this week with an intercity flight by an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

1 Mar 2024 - 5:12PM

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Low-altitude economy

"Low altitude" refers to airspace 1 kilometre (0.6 miles) above the surface of the Earth; the low-altitude economy encompasses all airborne economic activity within this sphere, including drones and flying cars. This has been an area of growing interest for countries around the world, with China's low-altitude economy having been predicted by one firm in March 2024 to hit 2 trillion yuan (then around US$280 billion) by 2030.

last updated:

26 August, 2024